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One bright spot leading into the 2016 presidential race is that data shows that a record number of young people are paying attention, and they’re excited to vote this year. To celebrate “National Voter Registration Day” on September 27, the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will focus on registering and educating young people about the importance of being a voter.
During their lunch periods eligible students at Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson County High Schools can register to vote at tables set up by LWVOR volunteers that will be located in or near the cafeterias.
Students and the public are also invited to register to vote at the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Goff building located next to the main building.
The LWVOR has conducted voter registration on National Voter Registration Day since the day was established in 2012. The focus on that day this year is an effort to encourage the youth vote.
Helping to educate about the importance of voting and registering youth is not something new to LWVOR. Their “Partner in Education” program has successfully registered hundreds of eligible students over the nearly 26 years it has existed. The program also registers students at ORHS in the early spring in order to connect with graduating high school seniors who have turned 18.
“Reminding young people that they have the power to make a difference and an important way to achieve this is to make their voices heard at the polls on Election Day, helps get students excited,” said Carol Plasil. For several years, she has been the coordinator of the “Partner in Education” program.
Plasil added that League volunteers find that working with the youth is both fun and rewarding. “The highlight for me though was when I got to register my granddaughter a few years ago!”
The League of Women Voters also serves millions of voters through VOTE411.org, a one-stop online voter information hub. Voters anywhere can find helpful localized information from the League including finding your polling place and its hours, whether or not you’ll need to show an ID to vote, what to expect on your ballot, and much more.
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